5 years mcic in kosovo

8/9/2019 5 years MCIC in Kosovo

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Macedonian Center for Interna-tional Cooperation

years MCIC in Kosovo


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years MCIC in Kosovo

1999-20045

Macedonian Center of International Cooperation


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CONTENTS

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Message from MCIC

Kosovo Crisis

MCICs First Presence in Kosovo

Support of Agriculture

MCIC Continued with its Programmes

Strengthening Kosovo Partners

We are remembered in Kosovo by doing good

Statistical Data

Financial Report

Organization

What Had Been Said About Us


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Message from MCIC

The first activity of the Macedonian Center of International Cooperation(MCIC) on Kosovo was realized on June 28, 1999 with the assistanceprovided in Dragas, followed by the opening of office in Gjakovica onJuly 15, 1999.MCIC on Kosovo? Why?In April 1999, upon the appeal of El Hilal, MCIC got involved in providingassistance to the displaced persons in no mans land between Kosovoand Macedonia. Since then and throughout the Kosovo crisis, MCIC wasone of the leading organizations coping with the consequences of theKosovo crisis in Macedonia: the refugees and the political instability.Such involvement gave an opportunity to MCIC to see not only thethreat on the political stability caused by the numerous refugees, butalso to see the human tragedy in the midst of the crisis.

Those were not refugees from Kosovo, but our people, our neighbors introuble. Regardless of the political or ethnical or any other differenceshelp should be provided to the people, to our neighbors in deed.So, it was natural decision of MCIC to help the neighbors and in theircountry, Kosovo, to play the role of ice breaker in the relationsbetween the two neighbors and the ruling prejudices.Organization from Macedonia helps in Kosovo, with mixed teamsfrom Macedonia and Kosovo, and of ethnic Macedonians and ethnicAlbanians both from Macedonia and Kosovo. And teams capable of

working both with Kosovo ethnic Albanians and non-Albanians (firstof all Gorans). And to work in the areas fiercely suffering from the war,such as Gjakovica or Mala Krusa in Prizren.In 2001, following its principle of local capacities developmentthe operational presence has transformed into partnership of threeorganizations. Two of them stem from MCICs team in Gjakovica: KosovoDevelopment Center and Kosovo Women Initiatives.In the past years we witnessed the great sacrifices of many people inKosovos reconstruction, but also the establishment of many friendships

on all levels. I am sure that many of the involved people support thefriendship between the people from Macedonia and Kosovo. That isour small contribution towards peace and stability, development andbuilding of good relations.

Saso KlekovskiExecutive Director


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Mission statement

The Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) is a civic societyorganization that operates in the domain of sustainable development,awareness raising and social - humanitarian (basic) assistance.

The goal of MCIC is the promotion, support and development of local, nationaland international initiatives for encouraging sustainable development ofhuman resources in Macedonia and abroad.

For the implementation of its goals and tasks, MCIC mobilizes and organizeshuman resources, financial and material assets, both in the country andabroad.

MCIC provides funding for the activities from numerous agencies of the WorldCouncil of Churches and from governmental and international organizations.

GOALS, SECTORS AND METHODS

The strategic goals of MCIC are:- promotion of peace;- further development of civic society;- help to groups in need.

MCIC is active in the following sectors:- water supply and sanitation;- rural development;

- education;- employment and income generation;- civic society and democratization;- emergency aid.

MCIC implements its activities through:- support of projects;- training and consulting;- information;- advocacy and lobbying;- management.

MCIC is re-registered in the Register of Citizen Associations and Foundations,at the Primary Court Skopje I, under registration number 492, by ResolutionNo. 434/99, dated 06.10.1999. Source number 4878256. Unique taxnumber4030994180119


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KOSOVO CRISIS

Studying is inevitable evenin most dire conditions

The first wave of refugeesat the border crossing of Blace

The Kosovo crisis of 1999 indisputably covered Macedonia as

well, which accepted around 350,000 refugees from Kosovo. The

Macedonian Centre for International Co-operation tried to make

certain estimates event before the start of the crisis, in order to be

prepared to response to possible demands and needs of all entities

involved in the crisis. But, the big wave of refugees caught not

only the humanitarian organizations unprepared, but governmentinstitutions as well. In Macedonia, fear and concern about the

possible spill-over of the crisis in the country occurred.

In accordance with its general policy and strategy, MCIC reacted

immediately. At the end of March 1999, the Plan for Emergency

Operations Shelter Macedonia was made. The plan started being

implemented in April 1999.

The plan covered several tasks: establishing the preparedness

for relevant and real activities that would take place in case of anegative development of the situation; support of the basic needs of

the refugees hosted with families and camps; support to marginalized

groups; strengthening the human resources to recognize common

values and priorities; contribution to the promotion of the national

stability and protection of refugees via decreasing the inter-ethnic

tensions among Macedonian citizens. MCIC reacted quickly to the

wave of refugees at the border crossings. In the first week of the crisis

MCIC distributed enough food for 40,000 refugees and coordinatedthe aid to the partner organizations that came from their countries

by air and by road(Diakonishes Werk from Germany, DanChurch Aid

from Denmark and Norwegian Church Aid from Norway).

With the approval of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and in

accordance with the High Commissioner for Refugees of the United

Nations, MCIC took over the managing of the refugee camp at the

village of Radusa. It also undertook a number of activities to resolve

the water supply and sanitation of the camps at Radusa and Bojane.MCIC also built the complete sanitation system, organized the hard

waste removal and building of the drainage system at the camps at

Cegrane.

Despite the 14 open refugee camps, most of the refugees (about

170,000) were with host families. MCIC provided aid to about 50,000

beneficiaries per month (in a period of 5 months), 26,000 of whom

were refugees and members of host families, including 2,000 babies,

as well as 24,000 socially endangered persons.


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MCIC built water supply system inRadusa, Skopje

In front of the Blace border crossing, from left to right: SasoKlekovski, Christian Balslev-Olesen, General Secretary of DCA and

Paul Nielsen, then Minister for Development of Denmark

MCIC succeeded to promote joint activitieswith local citizen organizations, which wasof double value. The local NGOs were themost important channel for support to therefugees. Thanks to these organizations,such as El Hilal, accommodation wasprovided for around two thirds of thetotal number of refugees. Maybe mostimportant was the establishment of anNGO coordination in order to provideassistance for all people, regardless oftheir ethnic or religious affiliation. As aresult of this cooperation, for example, the

Roma organization Mesecina from Gostivarsupported ethnic Albanian refugees, andthere were also reverse examples.


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Organizationsinvolved indistribution ofthe humanitarianassistance

Roma Humanitarian and Volunteer

Society Mesecina Gostivar, with

organizations in Debar and Kicevo

Humanitarian Organization (of the

Islamic Community in RM) El

Hilal Skopje, with branches in

Kumanovo, Tetovo and Gostivar

Humanitarian (Roma) OrganizationPeace Skopje

Humanitarian (Roma) Organization

Homos Skopje

Roma Community Center Drom

Kumanovo

Association of Macedonians with

Islamic Religion Skopje

Humanitarian Voluntary Society

Mother Theresa StrugaUnion of the Albanian Woman in

Macedonia Tetovo, with branch in

Gostivar

Womens Organization Probistip

Single Parents Society Hope

Kocani

Single Mothers Society Stip

Union of Serbian Women in RM Skopje

Humanitarian Organization (of

the Bitola eparchy of the MOC)

Resurrection Bitola

Evangelist-Methodist Church

Strumica

The Camp of Chegrane

Approximately 170.000 refugees were sheltered athost-families


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The office in Gjakovica, where allactivities were coordinated


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At the end of June 1999, MCIC decided to actively work, rather

than talk about good neighborly and regional cooperation,making the first step outside Macedonia, with its programRestoring the Life in Kosovo. The goal was to encouragepeaceful and just solutions for the existing differencesand promote good neighborly relations, co-operation andpeaceful cohabitation among everybody living in Kosovoand the region. The program supported the communities inrestoring the life after conflict, by fixing their homes andother infrastructure, providing food, support to agriculture,

creating basis of income generation and support to local civicorganizations. For this purpose, MCIC opened local offices inGjakovica and Dragas, with personnel of 20 people.The program Restoring the Life in Kosovo was implementedin the south-west part of Kosovo, that is, in 43 villages of themunicipalities of Gjakovica, Orahovac, Prizren and Dragas.Certain activities, such as development of civil society andmedia support, took place at the whole territory of Kosovo.The support covered about 48,700 beneficiaries.

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11Jacques Willemse and KarelRighters, members of Consortium forMacedonia and Saso Klekovski on aworking visit to Kosovo

Members of GB of MCIC during a visit to afamily in Gjakovica

MCICS FIRSTPRESENCE INKOSOVO


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5 years MCIC in Kosovo

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Reconstruction of housesThe biggest activity of MCIC in Kosovo was to provide homes for therefugees that returned home. The aid consisted of: temporary shelters,reconstruction of houses and providing prefabricated homes.The refugees that returned home did not have the elementary livingconditions, or a roof above their heads, and because the winter wasapproaching, temporary shelters or reconstruction of houses withminor damages was to be provided.MCIC provided aid in tents, beds, mattresses, sheets and blankets

for 171 families. This was provided by Action of Churches Together(ACT).In July 1999 MCIC selected six villages of the region of Gjakovica andOrahovac with about 6,000 citizens and the whole region of Dragaswith a total of 36 villages and about 40,000 citizens to support.The most intensive activity was the reconstruction of the housesthat covered a hard roof, two rooms, kitchen, water supply andelectricity. In 1999 and 2000 MCIC supported 160 families thatlived in 151 houses, in 11 villages and the city area of Gjakovica,as well as all 27 families with damaged houses in the municipalityof Dragas. The selection was made in cooperation with the villageboards, and in the cases of municipalities of Dragas and Gjakovica inconsultation with the municipal power. In order to take care of thefamilies whose houses were classified as category 5 (houses that cannot be reconstructed), MCIC, in cooperation with other ACT partnersin Kosovo provided 136 prefabricated houses that were delivered andset before the coming of the winter.

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People have difficulties in meeting end toend after the war

Distribution of construction material for renewalof homes

Gjakovica right after the end of the war


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Children rejoice at their new homes

Construction of a Destroyed VillageShefqet Brahimay is an agricultural engineer, director of theagricultural association in his village. Unless somebody tells you thathe is 50, youll admire the mobility of at least 70 year old Shefqet.The combination of the face filled with wrinkles and the strong andmobile body will become logical after you find out that his village hadbeen a conflict area for at least seven years.Shqiponja (Eagle) as they call it now, or Jablanica, as they called it

until the peace came, is a Gjakovica village with 131 houses, withabout 1,000 villagers. In March 1997 it was fiercely shelled. Thevillages remained there until the end of the war, although their houseswere all damaged during the attack.They did not leave the village even after the end of the fight in 1999,despite the lack of basic living conditions. Most of their tractors werefully destroyed, and the few of them that survived were damaged. 22tractors were fixed by the end of the year.

The constriction works were the reason why we went to this villageon that December morning. Because the reconstruction of the houseshad not began yet, the winter found most of the villagers in tents.An engineer from Albania who was to show how montage houses areset to the villagers, so that they do it afterwards themselves, was alsowith us.We went to Shefqets house. The old man was in the yard withseveral other villagers. Engineer Piro immediately went behind thewalls of one of the two demolished houses in the year. Hammering

was heard from there. Several guys had already started setting up theprefabricated houses intended for the family of Shefqets brother. Thematerials for the prefabricated homes has already arrived, and theguys had started assembling the boards, either being impatient, orbecause of the coming cold.While we were in the yard, chickens were around our feet. Shefqetalso got them from MCIC. When the idea of distributing chickenswas mentioned to made many people laugh, but the reaction of thevillagers showed that it was a very practical one. They got eggs every

day.Shqiponja or Jablanica, was left behind us, as we went along anotherroad, though the mountains, filled with various cartridges, left fromthe demolition time.


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Aid in food waswelcomed by all


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Aid in foodMCIC also started with food distribution, covering 43

villages. In the period of August-October 1999, monthly

distributions were made of food packages and hygiene

products, from ACT supply brought from Albania. In

November and December distribution from Macedonia was

made for the villages in the region of Gjakovica, while

there were winter packages made for all 36 villages

in the region of Dragas and there was a one time aid

distribution.

The Village of Senoc Survivedthe WorstMCIC was the first organization to help the village. In the

beginning it was aid in food, clothes and hygiene products,

and later the distribution of construction material and tool

kits started. The aid was necessary to start a normal life,because the damages of the village were big, around 90%

as Faredin Krasniqi, president of the village told us.

The village has around 900 citizens. Because the

reconstruction work started later, the winter came and

it made the distribution of constriction material difficult.

There was a house of culture built in the village, and a

playground. Some of the 4 category houses were not

reconstructed yet. Most of the villages worked in theagriculture and the others worked abroad.

When the war started in the spring, the population

escaped the village, and very few remained. In June,

everybody returned. My house was completely destroyed,

and we slept outside, under a tent, for almost four months.

When it rained, it was wet inside. But man can sustain

everything. Told us Faredin at the end of the discussion.

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Distribution of food in villageof Rastelica, Dragas

Food packages for the inhabitantsof village Senoc


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The activities in the area of agriculture covered several aspects.

The support of the agriculture was provided via distribution

of laying hens, feed, various agriculture tools and fixing of

tractors.

The aid in fixing of tractors and tools was done in cooperation

with MCIC partner, Diakonisches Werk from Germany. The

identification was made in the villages of the region of Gjakovica

and Dragas. There were repair services open in two villages.

MCIC signed an agreement with the service owner that he would

compensate the funds invested in his service with the necessary

fixing work for the community. At the end of July 2000 there

were 200 beneficiaries of agricultural machines identified from

23 villages in the south-west part of Kosovo, and there was aid

approved to fix about 150 damaged tractors, 50 cultivators and 6

combine harvesters.

In May 2000 there was aid distributed to 2,000 families of 16

villages in the municipality of Strpce, 11 of which were with

ethnic Serbs and 5 with ethnic Albanians, They received aid in

fodder, fertilizers and laying hens. This contributed to meeting

the basic needs of population that lives isolated with insufficient

own resources. Mostly, the population was into cattle breeding.

However, the isolation of almost two years, especially in the

populated places of ethnic Serbs, from the other part of Kosovo

created difficulties for the citizens. The inability of trade with

cattle made all the cattle breeders slaughter most of the cattle

that they bred for sale. Besides, all international organizations

that mainly provided aid in food withdrew from Strpce. To

distribute the aid, MCIC developed co-operation wit the local

authorities and civic organizations in Strpce. They were in charge

of beneficiary identification and final distribution.

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SUPPORT OFAGRICULTURE

In the southwest part of Kosovoreparation of 150 damaged tractors, 50motocultivators and 6 combines wasperformed

Distribution of aid to villagesinhabited with ethnic Serbs



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With Will and Desire to Big ResultsIn the course of the first visit to Gjakovica, MCIC identified one dairy factory in

the village of Sheremet. The situation after the war was very hard, about 80%

of the facility and machines were destroyed. MCIC approved aid of 75,000 Euro

to the owner of the factory, Sali Golay, to start production, and it was repaid in

delivery of dairy products to schools and social institutions.

In my family we had no hope that we will continue with our work. The only hope

was that someone would help us. Then MCIC appeared, giving us the chance to

start work. The funds were sufficient to return to the former situation. In April

2000 we reactivated the factory. It was a big pleasure for us, but also for the

whole region. Told us Sali.At the beginning, five persons were employed in the factory, and now, there

are 14. The number of farmers who buy out milk grows every day. Today, there

are about 100. The market demands also grows, but not at a satisfactory level,

because of the current economic policy. Almost all dairy products are produced in

the factory, and around 1,400 liters of milk are processed daily.

We hope that in time we will improve the technology of the factory, and

therefore we invest in new machines every year. In this way we will increase the

production, which is the possibility for new jobs in our region told us Sali at the

end of the conversation.

Aid to Ethnic SerbsFour years after the first visit of MCIC to Brezovica and Strpce, we came to

visit these people, whose life had not changed since then. The people looked

at us strangely, a bit surprised. When we told them we came from MCIC, they

remembered the aid that we distributed then. We looked for Dragoljub, who was

the person in charge for distribution of the aid to the beneficiaries. His house

was by the road to Prizren. Dragoljub came out of the house and looked at us

confused. We greeted him, and there, Dragoljub recognized us.

How come you are here, we thought that you had forgotten us, said Dragoljub

smiling. The people are very grateful for the aid they received. They are asking

where the people who helped us then are. The people from Macedonia did not

forget us in those difficult moments. Other organizations did not help our

villages. During the conflict it was very bad, and after the war we could not come

out of the village. We were cut from the world. We did not even have petrol for

the cultivator. Said Dragoljub while we drank coffee at the yard.He told us that people now worked more for the international organizations, and

very little on the land. There is very little left for sales of produce. He told us that

there were still displaced persons. In Brezovica there were around seven hundred

citizens and three hundred displaced persons.

We separated from Dragoljub and Brezovica. On the road there were constantly

vehicles of the Kosovo police. We hoped that these people will find their peace.

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The milk farm Golaj has setan example for successful worknowadays

Dragoljub has not forgottenabout his friends in Macedonia


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MCIC supported the board of editors of the Pristina weekly Zeri, who facedthe problem of lack of appropriate technical equipment for regular work. Theproject enabled further issuing of the weekly, as well as publishing of the dailyZeri, in order to better inform the public on current events.In the beginning of June 2000, MCIC, together with the civic organization fromGjakovica We Are with You started implementing the project Training ofJournalists. It covered support to the media in Kosovo by providing training

to journalists, thus contributing to the development and strengthening of thecivic society and democratization. The training had two phases: training oftrainers and school for young journalists.In the first phase, there was a 12 day course for 15 experienced journalistsfrom the region, in Neum and in Sarajevo, from 17 to 28 June. The secondpart covered establishment of a training centre for young journalists fromGjakoica.

SUPPORT TO MEDIA

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This part supported the factory for production of tiles IMN from Gjakovica,

which employed 220 persons. The production of this factory was restored

in November 1999, and the aid that MCIC provided was paid in kind, used

to build houses.

In the course of 1999-2000, besides the urgent aid, there were activities

implemented in the areas of water supply in the villages, distribution of

agricultural raw materials for the spring and autumn sewing season, and

there were pregnant heifers purchased for 165 families and the Association

of Dairy Producers from Gjakovica.

All of these activities contributed to recovery of the villages after the

conflict and rehabilitation of their production capacities, mainly in the

area of agriculture, because this is a rural area. MCIC, as in other programs

it had, mainly was guided by the needs of the people and tried to design

the aid according to these needs. One of the most successfully evaluated

methodologies was the use of vouchers for agricultural raw materials that

could be used by the farming facilities to choose products they were most

in need of in the local agricultural pharmacies.

INCOME GENERATION

Factory for tile production inGjakovica



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MCIC CONTINUEDWITH ITS PROGRAMS

After the end of the urgent phase and in accordance with its experience,

MCIC started a development program, fully implemented via local citizenassociations (CA). In the course of 2001-2002 the program Transition of

Kosovo (TKS) was implemented.

MCIC identified three partners of this kind in Kosovo that continued

and followed the involvement and achievements of MCIC in Kosovo:

We Are with You (NCCV), Kosovo Development Centre (KRC) and Kosovo

Women Initiative (KZI). Each one of them is focused and was responsible

for different parts of the program. In this context, MCIC continued its

presence in Kosovo as a relation, to provide: gradual transformation ofthe programs from urgent to development ones; implementation by local

CA, instead by MCIC; appropriate aid and guidance of local CA, as well

as capacity building for them; providing appropriate continuation of the

previous activities that local CA could not cover fully (ex. the area of

Dragas).

Within TKC program, there were 47 projects approved and implemented.

One of the main values of the MCIC involvement in this program was

enabling local partner CA in Kosovo.

Within these frames, there was training in project cycle managementheld in May 2002, in order to provide basic knowledge on project

phases, establish an appropriate system for project management in

these organizations. The target group of this training was the employees

in the local CA that were also direct implementing agencies of the TKC

activities. There were 12 persons participating in the training, employees

and activists of the organizations, and it was implemented in Mitrovica

by two MCIC trainers.

The second activity of this part was the project Training for InstitutionalDevelopment and Organizational Strengthening (IR/OJ) for local

partners. The project implemented training for the managements of the

local partners from Kosovo, who were introduced to the methodology for

more efficient management of organizations. The training took place in

July, and there were 11 persons participating.

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2001-2002

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The farmers share the experience

Training for local associations


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WE ARE WITH YOUThe non-governmental organization We Are with You was established inJuly 1999, following the war in Kosovo. Professionals in various areas were

involved in the organization.

MissionThe civic association We Are with You, through its activities supports the

concept of development of the democratic mentality and culture, where

citizen with creative ideas and capabilities are able to contribute to socialand economical welfare of the individual and the community.

Goals of the organization were: Initiating and supporting local initiatives;

Development of civil society and culture of democracy; Creating prerequisites

for multi-ethnic dialogue; Health, educational and cultural education; Taking

care of the environment; Promotion of needs for healthy and quality food.

The organization realized activities as organizing seminars, lectures,

promotion and development of training for civil society projects; Publishingleaflets, posters, and brochures with educational contents; Organizing summer

youth educational camps; Building public awareness for environmental

protection; Organizing concerts, exhibitions and cultural evenings; Initiating

and supporting projects with development character.

Target groupYoung people, women, persons with special needs, nationalities and

professionals.

During its existence, the organization implemented various projects. Some

of them are: Re-integration of Former UCK Combatants in Civil Life, where

adaptation and integration in the civil life was provided for 168 former

combatants. Computer courses, English lessons, psychosocial help, crafts

skills and other courses were organized. Sexual Education of Juveniles was

a six months project, implemented in several towns and villages. Within the

project, two doctors succeed to provide sexual education of juveniles through

lectures, brochures and direct contacts, thus contributing to the action

against artificial and illegal abortions and planning of youths sexual life;

Journalist Ethics and Freedom of the Press was a two day seminar where

20 journalists participated, with exposs of prominent Kosovo journalists.

Attendants agreed that the freedom of the press in Kosovo is endangered.

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New knowledge for better practicalrealization of projects



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Training aimed at civic

society activists

Training participants expectanswers to many questions

We Are with You (WAWY) was in charge of the institutional development

and organizational strengthening of civil associations. Five trainings were

implemented for the local CA in the region of Orahovec, Malisevo, Decani,Klina, and Skenderaj; five issues of the civil society bulletin were published,

and three projects for lobbying and advocacy were implemented: Coalition

and Networking of CA (developing a network for cooperation between CA from

the region of Southwestern Kosovo); Legal Framework for CA (CA introduction

to basic principles of the legal framework for CA in Kosovo); Public Debates

on Tax Policy of the CA (informing CA on new tax policy on Kosovo, as well as

introducing CA to their obligations and responsibilities towards the central

fiscal authorities in Kosovo); and Micro-project Financing of Local CA (tenmicro grants were assigned to CA from Southwestern Kosovo).

Through Training to More KnowledgeFrom 18 to 22 June 2002, in Decane, project cycle management training was

held, where 15 participants from civil associations from Decane took part.

At the training, standard themes were covered, such as: planning and the

significance of the planned; development of a tree of goals, grouping the

problems, selection of strategy / logic of intervention, analysis of revenuesand expenditures, financial sustainability, allocation of resources, methods

of establishing monitoring system over the project cycle, etc.

I have spent some nice working days; I think that with this kind of training

by which the knowledge is expanding, said Astrit Basriu from the civil

association New Era from Decani. The presentation was very successful

and understandable. It is up to us to apply the learned material into our

organizations. I am talking for myself, as I dont have experience in writing

project-proposals, he added.

The organization to which I belong found it necessary to send me to this

training, in order to get me involved in more projects. The expectations were

the same, as one would have before any training. To learn something new,

to foresee that what you know will be channeled in some way, that one will

receive answers to all questions and uncertainties, told us at the end of the

training Lumnije Jusufi from Family Advice from Decane.

The training was conveyed by Bekim Sejdiu (FKShC), Arbnor Pula (FID), Arta

Zherka (East-West Institute), and Luan Gola (We Are with You).


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Advocacy and lobbying for consumers rights protection, control of

the food quality and support of agricultural sector; Financial support for initiative development through grants.

Agricultural families, beneficiaries of KDC activities:15 local communities, 30 villages and almost 5000 beneficiaries.Target group (clients, partners):Agricultural associations, entrepreneurs and individual farmers, widows,minority groups.

Kosovo Development Centre (KDC) was responsible for implementingactivities for socio-economical development of farmers in rural areas.A total of six trainings were held and four issues of the Agro Bulletinwere published for individual farmers, agricultural associationsand agricultural cooperatives. In addition, the project Supportin Establishing Agricultural Associations was implemented. KDCfacilitated workshops for the establishing process of six associations.Furthermore, technical assistance to farmers was given, and they weretrained in successful farm management and production increase.

Hasans Example Should Be a RoleModel for Other FarmersHasan Halili from the village of Bec, Gjakovica grows vegetables:tomato, pepper, cucumbers, as well as potatoes and watermelon. Heowns 12 acres of cultivable land.He is into this for 30 years now. He told us that in the past there wasa great income from vegetables. This year he planted tomatoes in a

greenhouse, and potatoes, peppers, cabbage, watermelons, onions, andother plants in the field.I have great experience in growing vegetables in the field; I startedto work with greenhouses in 2000. Thanks to KDC, besides the offeredassistance in materials, I have gained great experience in cultivatingvegetables in greenhouses, which is of great support for the familyeconomy.Hasan is satisfied with the prices on the Kosovos market, as during the

season the goods are available, there is an invasion of goods from theneighboring countries, thus creating big agitation and damage.This year, Hasan emphasized, we have big problems with the weatherconditions too, as the vegetables that were planted in the field wereinfected with various diseases and our treatments were unsuccessful, asthere was constant rain and heavy sun from time to time, which createda fertile environment for diseases.We should say that the example of the farmer from Bec is an inspiringcase. Hasan and other members of his family are working at the field,

thus providing means for the life of the family of 13 members.

Farmers associations training

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Hasan and his crops


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KOSOVO WOMEN INITIATIVE

VisionWe would like to live in a society where woman would have genderequality, where she would be emancipated and become professional

in all fields of life.

MissionKosovo Women Initiative (KWI) is civil and not-for-profit

organization, which serves economical, educational, and democratic

development of civil society, and especially women, through projectsand programs that unite sustainability of the non-profit sector and

improve professional structure.

Kosovo Women Initiative from Gjakovica is civil and non-profit

organization, which was established in June 2001. Since its early

beginnings it aimed toward supporting the inclusion of women and

youth into social life, by offering programs for strengthening their

position, and their schooling and education, as well as programs for

economic development, offering numerous trainings for managing of

their business.

Women inclusion in social life aims toward assistance, consulting,

and training in the fields of gender equality inclusion from all

aspects, and especially in the fields of politics, through mediation in

resolving various conflicts within the family, and establishing youth

monitoring groups in the municipal assembly. KWI participated in the

preparation of the Strategic National Plan for gender equality, which

now acts as a law after adoption by the Parliament of Kosovo.

Programs for schooling and education aim towards awareness raisingof women and monitoring of their position and role in Kosovos

society, as well as their better inclusion in social life. Within these

programs, a number of activities are incorporated, such as training of

women and girls in advocacy, course in Albanian language for young

Bosniacs, training of Gjakovica citizens in citizen participation and

advocacy, etc. Several round tables, debates, and seminars were held

on the topics of women and juvenile rights and their role in the

society.KWI is one of the most active civil associations in Gjakovica and has

good cooperation with various civil and government organizations in

Gjakovica and other municipalities.

Kosovo Women Initiative (KWI) was in charge of the development

of the civil society with a focus on women issues. Projects were

implemented in the field of trainings on women and family violence,

introduction to inheritance rights, and training for the business

improvement. In the field of awareness rising, the project for

2

Children rejoice at the New Years presents

Iniciativa e Femrs Kosovare



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2

Women from different ethniccommunities have participated

in the project realization

integration of women in the social life was implemented. Furthermore, there

were projects in the cultural field, such as promotion of handcrafts, exhibition

of traditional handcrafts and exhibition of knitted handcrafts implemented.

Preserving the TraditionIn Kosovo, the handcrafts tradition has been cherished for centuries. Traditional

handcrafts are still attractive for most of the people, both for Kosovo population

and for foreigners, which comprise a significant number of todays inhabitants.

However, this time the handcrafts were not intend to generate income, but had

rather a humanitarian character.

The idea was completely incidental. In a conversation with one of my friends,

she told me that her mother is knitting, but she is not satisfied with the sales.As the New Year Eve was approaching, I thought to bring some happiness to

the children with no parents, so I thought to myself that we could arrange

something together, told us Ardita Rizvanoli, manager of the project.

Women that work on handcrafts were involved in the project. These women

come from different municipalities, and we would like to stress the fact that

women from ethnic minorities were also involved in the project. Women working

on the production of the handcrafts were from: Great Hoca (region inhabited

by Bosniacs), Rahovec, Prizren, Gjakovica, and Pec. The exhibition was opened

for three weeks in November, at the exhibition gallery Vizioni and ri 2000+ in

Gjakovica.

The exhibited products were for sale, while the funds gathered were used to buy

presents for the children with no parents and for single mothers.

During New Year festivities, the presents were given to the children with no

parents and to single mothers.

Initiatives in DragasWithin the program Transition of Kosovo (ToK), there were also supported small

development initiatives in Dragas, where eight projects were implemented:

Courses in English language (organized by CA Flaka) and Courses in computers

(Mother Teresa) were held, aimed to train CA activists in basic knowledge in

English language and working with computers. Likewise, with the project

Technical Support to CA Vatan, the newly established organization of Gorans in

Dragas was supported.

Water supply for the villages of Brut and Kosava, reparation of a bridge in

village of Backa, children playground, and renovation of sanitary facilities ofthe clinic in the village of Krusevo, were the projects for support of development

initiatives for improvement of the infrastructure in these villages.

The health education of women, organized by CA Flaka aimed towards rais-

ing the women awareness on health condition, in order to reduce diseases

and mortality at mothers and babies, and women training in timely seeking of

health care, through various lectures.


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With the Bridge Closer to the WorldThe village of Backa is situated in the eastern part of the municipality ofDragas, on the slopes of the Sar Mountain, at 1,200 meters altitude, some

6 kilometers from the municipal center. There are approximately 150 housesin the village. At the moment, there are 85 inhabitants in the village, whileduring the summertime and summer holidays this number raises to 900inhabitants, as the largest part of them have moved out of the village afterthe war on Kosovo, as well as because of economical reasons. Only a smallnumber of inhabitants of this village are employed in the municipality. Thereis a school in the village, for pupils of first to fourth grade, while childrenof fifth to eight grade attend the primary school at the village of Brod. Themain occupation of the villagers living in the village is cattle breeding.

The only road that connects the village with the municipality of Dragas leadsover Brodska River where an old and damaged bridge is situated (8 meterslong). The bridge is not passable for vehicles.I went abroad in search for employment in distant 1952. We have a pastryshop there. Our village is cut off from the world. By repairing the bridge,we solved many problems. It is something indescribable. A real salvationfor us. We live well with Albanians. We have helped them a lot during thecrisis. There are some 900 inhabitants in the village during the summertime,and barely eighty in the winter the oldest and those who have a job here.Almost all of the villagers are working in Vojvodina and Serbia, told us MuratShaqiri.

Water for the Inhabitants of the Village ofKosavaThe village of Kosava is located in the northern part of the municipality ofDragas, some 13 kilometers from the municipality center. There is unpaved

road leading towards the village. Kosava is mountainous village at the foothillof the Shar Mountain, at approximately 1,150 meters altitude. There are 110families in the village, with some 1,200 permanent residents. Inhabitantsof this village are mostly working on cattel breeding. Approximately 30inhabitants from the village live and work abroad, while some 40 inhabitantsare employed in or outside the municipality. The village has four hamlets(mahalas), and each one of them has individual waterworks and waternetworks, but there are no water meters in any of the settlements. Thehamlet of Mejzini-tertini has approximately 350 inhabitants.

There was no water supply in the village, only village fountains. Now, all ofthe houses are connected. We were in big trouble. There are vast amountsof water in these mountains, there just be a way to use them. Womenwere engaged in carrying the water, as well as the children. When biggerquantities were needed, we, the men, were engaged too. But, even with allthose efforts, there was not enough water for all our needs, told us VeizSherifi, inhabitant of the village.MCIC activity consisted of financial support for placing hydro insulation andmortaring of a new tank, as well as for pipe connection of the tank with the

existing network, and installation and other works.

2

Construction of the bridge has solved some ofthe problems of the villages of village Backa



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2

STRENGTHENINGKOSOVO PARTNERS

The evaluation of the Transition of Kosovo program was important to prepare and

start the new program Strengthening Kosovo Partners, 2003-2004, which contained

two main components: Strengthening the Capacities of the Kosovo Partners and

Support to Partner Programs. These two components were included with the three

local partners.

The evaluation of the program recommended all three NGO-s, in order to maximize

their limited human and financial resources should develop more focused visions,

missions, goals and strategies. Related via the need for a bigger focus, the three

NGO-s should develop a mid-term planning framework that will connect the strategies

and activities with the organizational goals, from which annual plans and budgets

will result.

Kosovo Development Centre (KDC)Strengthening the CapacitiesThe goal of the project was institutional development and organizational strengthening

of the personnel and management structures of the organization, according to a

tailor-made program coming from the Needs Assessment Mission, conducted in

January 2003, by independent foreign consultants. The project covered activities

like: training of the personnel and management structures members; printing the

annual report of the organization as a basis for transparency towards donors, target

group and other relevant actors; external evaluation of the organization, to see the

relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the organization with the target group afterthe three-year implementation of activities and annual audit for 2002 and 2003, in

order to check the functioning of the financial procedures in the organization.

Support of ProgramsThe goal of the project was to contribute to the socio-economic development of the

farmers in the rural areas.

The activities were implemented in part of south-east Kosovo, where MCIC was active

in the period of 1999-2001. This covers the broader region of Gjakovica, Orahovec,Prizren and the municipality of Dragas. Some of the activities were focused on

more regions with a specific target group of the rural areas (via the agriculture

component).

Kosovo Development Centre was responsible for collection, preparation land

dissemination of the information relates to the agricultural sector in the Target

regions, via the Fermeri agro-newsletter. The newsletter contained information

on the regulations, momentary situation and the development of the agricultural

4


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2

Bulletin for the farmers

sector, case study (success stories of the target region), importantstatistical data, advice for farmers, etc. The newsletter was issued on

quarterly basis, and it was distributed to the farmers and other NGO-s.

KRC also issued five brochures on various agricultural produce, such as

fruit and vegetables. The brochure covered information of the specific

character of the produce, conditions for its production, etc, with

various experts from the area of fruit and vegetables included. (picture

of the Bulletin).

Six training cycles were organized for farmer associations that are

founded with the help of KRC in the previous year. The trainingwas specifically related to the needs of the farmer association. KRC

also allocated 6 grants for various farmer associations, intended for

technical equipment.

Besides the training, there was also direct technical aid to farmers who

indicated interest for improving their work on the farms. This included:

advice for proper documentation, record and analysis of the production,

work plan development, etc. Study visits to positive examples among

the producers of the same produce in Kosovo were organized.KRC financially supported 2 local initiatives in the region of Gjakovica

(municipal representatives, village boards, suburban boards, etc)

for repairs to the public infrastructure (schools, clinics, children

playgrounds).

We Are with You (WAWY)Strengthening the CapacitiesThe goal of the project was institutional development and organizational

strengthening of the personnel and management structures of the

organization, according to a tailor-made program coming from the

Needs Assessment Mission, conducted in January this year, by local

independent consultants.

The activities covered training of the personnel and management

structures members; printing the annual report of the organization as a

basis for transparency towards donors, target group and other relevant

actors, as well as annual audit for 2002 and 2003.

Support of ProgramsThe goal of the project is institutional development and organizational

strengthening of the local NGO-s. The target area was part of south-east

Kosovo, where MCIC was active in the period of 1999-2001. This covers

the broader region of Gjakovica, Orahovec, Prizren and the municipality

of Dragas.



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2

Reward for MCIC fromits Kosovo partners

The project covered three training cycles for project cycle management

(RPC), while NSV provided individual advice for other NGO-s in the course

of the target period of the program. Three issues of the NGO newsletter

were printed, focused on the area of south-east Kosovo. We Are with You

in the period of 2003-2004 worked on four topics such as: coalitions and

networks of NGO; legal frame for NGO; tax policy related to NGO; and

awareness raising for the roles of the NGO sector. Workshops and open

debates on these topics were organized.

Kosovo Women Initiative (KWI)Strengthening the CapacitiesThe goal of the project was institutional development and organizational

strengthening of the personnel and management structures of the

organization, according to a tailor-made program coming from the Needs

Assessment Mission, conducted in January this year, by local independent

consultants.

Kosovo Women Initiative conducted training of the personnel and

management structures members, according to the capacity building plan;

printing the annual report of the organization as a basis for transparencytowards donors, target group and other relevant actors; annual audit for

2002 and semi-annual audit for the first half of 2003, by an external audit

company, in order to check the functioning of the financial procedures

inside the organization; as well as annual audit for 2003 that was

conducted in March 2004.

Support of ProgramsThis component was implemented by the local partner KWI. The goal ofthe project was civil society development with a focus on women issues.

The activities were implemented in part of south-east Kosovo, where MCIC

was active in the period of 1999-2001. This covers the broader region of

Gjakovica, Orahovec, Prizren and the municipality of Dragas. Some of the

activities were focused on more regions with a specific target group.

Within the project, there were six debates held on raising the public

awareness for the role of woman in social processes. There were two

training cycles held on capacity strengthening of the women groups, twowith the local government, one training for the public administration, one

training on public relations and six workshops with the target group.

The support to Kosovo Women initiative was stopped in 2004, due to

internal structural changes in the organization and the split to two

independent entities, Kosovo Women Initiative and the Kosovo Women

Initiative New Vision.


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30

4

The work in Kosovo was one of the most impressive episodes ofmy life.

The decision to accept the challenge in August 1999 was maturingfor a longer time, and probably the main moment leading to it,

happened around five months previously, at the beginning ofNATO bombing in SR Yugoslavia. It was the birthday of one of thechildren of my high school friends, where for the first time wetalked with them about the existing crisis the bombing itself, the

justification of the intervention, the situation with the refugeeson Blace, the relation between the Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo,the perception/stereotypes of our Albanians. I was surprised(softly said) by the difference in the discussion, the attitudes, andthe terminology itself, between my friends and me. I noticed thatthe five-year experience in MCIC and the opportunity to work withmany different groups of people (ethnically mixed areas; rural/urban; promoters of the rights of the marginalized groups Roma,women and skeptics on these issues) has significantly increasedmy tolerance of differences and capability of understanding andaccepting the others. Then, I realized that I want and I shouldcontinue in that direction, and that with the gained experienceI can contribute in overcoming the differences in understanding

among the various groups.I remember the situation in Kosovo in the autumn of 1999. Thestarting point was to avoid the holes made by NATO bombs to thealready ruined roads, in which obviously nothing was investedsince they were constructed. Or, the long journeys along thoseroads and the waiting on the temporary bridges and bordercrossings. Then, the use of satellite telephones, as the onlypossible mean of communication, up to the working conditionsin the offices and houses often without water and electricity,

with noisy generators on petrol and stoves using firewood, toneutralize the temperatures of 20 below zero.

This situation has already been sufficiently adventurous, butthe work itself also brought many challenges. For me a partialcultural shock was the first trip to Kosovo, when I expected to seedominantly Albanian ethnic and Muslim religious symbols, but Isaw the illuminated Orthodox Church in the center of Prizren. Orthe driving through the main street corso of Gjakovica, full of

4

Memories from Kosovo


WE ARE REMEMBERED IN

KOSOVO BY DOING GOOD


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31

Aleksandar ?????

young people, well dressed boys and girls, without any traces of the traditional dressing code.

There were also security challenges telephone threats to some colleagues as well as the intrusionof armed persons in the office. However, the representatives of the municipality and the localpolice successfully dealt with them. Also impressive were the visits to the Serbian enclaves ofOrahovac, Strpce or Gracanica, where I had an opportunity to establish communication with theboth sides along the security barricades of NATO forces and to contribute for restoring of theinterrupted relations between the former neighbors and friends.

I remember the fire in the sport hall Boro and Ramiz in Pristina, as well as the blackhumoristic stories afterwards whether Boros or Ramizs part of the hall was burnt down. I hada similar story when one British humanitarian worker published his article on the Internet Cikleand Fatmir, emphasizing my cooperation as ethnic Macedonian, with the colleague ethnicAlbanian.

I was also impressed by the statement of our host in the rented house in Gjakovica AgronPoloska, after the discussion on Macedonias path towards the independence and the withdrawalof the entire weaponry of the Yugoslav Army, when he said, you should erect a 30-metermonument for going through this process without a war.

The debates in Kosovo on dependence independence became concrete in 2001 when MCICdecided to close its operational office and continue the support of three local organizations. Weforced their independence, and (to my surprise) they preferred dependence on MCIC. At theend we came to the best combination interdependence, to cooperate on activities of mutualinterest as equal partners.

Yes, these were some of my memories and experiences, since the time of the large humanitarianoperation when MCIC together with 360 other international organizations gave contribution forKosovos reconstruction.

The time when with intensive engagement in a short period of time and under difficultcircumstances we have helped to 350 families to reconstruct their houses, several thousandpeople to get food during the first winter after the crisis, in fact seven villages with all itsresidents to restore their life.

Why did we do all this?

Read Aleks story!

Aleksandar Krzalovski

Coordinator of MCIC programin Kosovo in the period 1999 2001


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32

Experience with many peripetiaAt the end of 2001 I was faced with an interesting decision,

whether to apply or not for a job in Kosovo, as MCICs

representative in Kosovo. It was challenging to apply, but

in the same time I had a dilemma whether the time spent

there with the partner organizations would be productive

and fruitful. Yet, I applied, although that meant additional

engagement for me. And a lot of energy as well. One thing

was obvious that what we have tried to do in our attempts

for capacity development of our three local partners was just

a small investment in the development of the civic society

in Kosovo. At the beginning the work was just the same as

taking care of a toddler or an adolescent child, when they

think they know everything and do not need help. This

made our job more challenging for me and the other MCIC

colleagues involved in this.

I remember one moment when I talked with the three localpartners about the need of strategic planning and thinking

of changes, because that was the only way for tackling

the new emerging challenges. It seemed to them that we

were talking about something that was beyond their needs.

After a year, two of the three organizations started to talk

on this topic, started to think strategically on their future

directions. We from MCIC were normally there to support

them, to help them with our experience in finding out theroad that will be fulfilling for them and their target groups.

Now the three local partners are well known organizations in

different areas. KDC in the field of agriculture, WAWY in the

field of civic society through strengthening the capacities

of NGOs and the institutions of the local government, and

the third partner KZI which following the internal structural

changes has divided into KZI and KZI new vision are well

known for resolving the gender issues.

Fatmir Bytyqi

Coordinator of MCIC program

in Kosovo in the period 2002 2004



33/44


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3

Number ofprojectsdivided

by sectorsrealized in the

period 1999-2004

Number ofprojects

according toinstruments

in the period

1999 2004

Number of

projectsaccording to the

target groups in

the period 1999

2004

MCIC follows its achievements with a project portfolio monitoring system, as well as by keeping specific records of

the individual products. MCIC does the project portfolio monitoring through several mechanisms: sector, programs,location, target group and instruments. This overview shows the results according to some of these parameters,providing table overview by years. In its five-year work in Kosovo, MCIC has realized 120 projects, with overallbudget of MKD 458 million or EUR 7 million. The table 1 shows the results realized according to sectors andyears. Over 50 percent of the realized projects are in the civic society sector, followed by the agriculture, emergencyassistance etc.

STATISTICAL DATA

Table 1

Table 2Dominantly

used instrument

in the programs

in Kosovo, but

also generally

in MCIC, is

the financial

assistance.

Celna grupa 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Vkupno

@eni 1 3 8 1 13

Selani 7 1 8

Etni~kimalcinstva 2 2 2 6

Decaimladina 3 1 4

Marginalizirani

grupi

4 4

Begalciiraseleni

lica

15 1 2 10 28

Op{ta 11 14 3 24 4 1 57

Vkupno: 30 32 5 44 8 1 120

The distribution of the

target group in these

categories is made

according to the dominant

participation of the users

in the projects. In cases

of multiple vulnerability

of the users (belonging to

two or more categories,

such as young Gorans

women in rural areas),

only one is taken in

consideration, the most

relevant regarding the

number of users and the

type of project activities.

Table 3


Sector 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Total

Water supply and sanitation 1 3 2 6Employment and generating income 1 1

Civic society and democracy 11 17 3 27 5 1 64

Emergency assistance 11 2 13

Agriculture 5 8 2 10 1 26

Social activities 2 4 4 10

Total: 30 32 5 44 8 1 120

Instruments 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Total

Financial support 26 22 5 12 8 73

Loan

Training 2 8 20 30

Information 2 6 1 9

Representation/lobbying 2 6 8

Total: 30 32 5 44 8 1 120

Target group 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Total

Women 1 3 8 1 13

Peasants 7 1 8

Ethnic minorities 2 2 2 6

Children and youth 3 1 4

Marginalizedgroups

4 4

Refugees anddisplaced persons

15 1 2 10 28

General 11 14 3 24 4 1 57

Total: 30 32 5 44 8 1 120


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3

*The balance in 2000 originates from ICCO and it has been employed for financing the Kosovo programs in the following years. Theallocation of financial means per year is listed in the table, whereas the overall amount of funds from ICCO has been decreased forthat amount.

INCOME 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Total

Interchurch Organisation for

Development Cooperation

5,436,607 155,245,149 3,250,000 20,675,500 21,612,175 176,983,277*

Dutch Interchurch Aid 71,704,717 6,964,356 78,669,073

ACT Netherlands 3,999,485 13,461,211 17,460,696

Christian Aid 26,911,499 19,591,165 46,502,664

Norwegian Church Aid 20,353,035 20,353,035

DanChurchAid 931,001 12,321,033 13,252,034

Swiss Interchurch Aid 2,379,229 12,093,738 14,472,967

Diakonisches Werk 7,751,070 3,052,275 10,803,345

Lutheran World Relief 14,281,828 18,875,937 33,157,765

Lutheran World Federation 6,407,134 6,407,134

United Church of Canada 811,642 811,642

Presbyterian Church 23,944,012 23,944,012

United Church of Christ Japan 1,692,371 1,692,371

Regional Environmental Center 550,664 550,664

Positive forex, own andextraordinary income

4,957,026 4,497,822 345,666 3,859,491 13,660,005

186,630,170 222,749,317 29,032,244 23,727,775 21,957,841 3,859,491 458,720,684

Rehabilitation of houses 66,197,990 66,492,522 132,690,512

Public infrastructure 2,120,708 1,434,856 3,555,564

Social activities 8,912,488 8,440,439 17,352,927

Food security - distribution 47,996,550 47,996,550

Food security - agriculture 22,977,572 64,817,615 18,437,916 106,233,103

Income generation 3,689,183 3,689,183

Civic society

development

1,948,191 4,619,245 2,707,467 15,742,136 19,940,351 493,730 45,451,120

Media and information 4,408,696 2,292,012 6,700,708

Reserve activities

(contingencies)

4,617,619 4,617,619

Logistic support 6,579,005 6,579,005

Sub Total Direct Assistance: 169,448,002 148,096,689 21,145,383 15,742,136 19,940,351 493,730 374,866,291

Operational costs 17,265,120 45,416,474 8,929,692 7,156,126 3,608,680 673,610 83,049,702

TOTAL EXPENDITURES 186,713,122 193,513,163 30,075,075 22,898,262 23,549,031 1,167,340 457,915,993

BALANCE -82,952 29,236,154* -1,042,831 829,513 -1,591,190 2,692,151 804,692

TOTAL INCOME

EXPENDITURES

FINANCIAL REPORT


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3

MCIC was founded on 14 December 1993. The seven founders and three othermembers comprise the first governance and management structure of MCIC:Assembly, Executive Board and Professional Service, managed by the ProgrammeDirector. MCIC was registered in 1994.

ASSEMBLY/COUNCILThe highest governance body of MCIC is the Assembly/Council, The Council has thefollowing competences: to adopt, amend and supplement the Charter; adopt general

policy and strategy; to adopt the annual report on operations and the financialreport, and receive the report by an independent auditor; to select members ofthe governance Board; to decide on merging with another foundation and on MCICmembership in national and international associations and organizations; andperform other work in conformity with the Charter and general acts of MCIC.

EXECUTIVE/GOVERNANCE BOARD^lenovite na Sobranieto/Sovetot izbiraat Izvr{en/Upraven odbor od 10

~lena.Members of the Assembly/Council elect a 10-member Executive/GovernanceBoard. A total of 19 persons have been members of the Board during this ten-yearperiod. The Governance Board of MCIC: adopts future and annual work programmesand plans; adopts financial plans; adopts the annual financial report; decides onestablishing awards and recognitions; adopts acts that regulate the operation ofthe executive Office; appoints an Executive Director, establishes companies andother legal entities.

Composition of the Governance Board in theperiod 1998-2004Mirko SpiroskiIvan TulevskiNatasa Gaber DamjanovskaTeuta Krasnica CuckovaDragi KostadinovskiZejnula FazliuZoran KostovMihail CekovMuhamed TociNurije KadriuBukurie BajramiBiljana Gerasimovska KitanovskaSveto Stefanovski

ORGANIZATION



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3

EXECUTIVE OFFICEThe Executive Office performs management, aswell as professional and administrative tasks,i.e. it carries out daily operations, services MCICbodies and administers the policy and programmesapproved by them.Staff review in the period 1999-2004Associates per group

Executive DirectorSaso Klekovski

DevelopmentRoman PapadimitrovAco Kocovski, Dimce MitreskiLjupco Kocovski, Mirjana FotevskaNikola Ikonomov, Vladimir LazovskiNahida Zekirova, Aleksandar GumberovskiAleksandar Jovanovski

Emergency Operations 1999Albert Hani, Aleksandar CurcievElisaveta Bejkova, Goce SolevGoran Velkovski, Sinisa StojkoskiKostadin Gramatikov

EmploymentTetjana LazarevskaJoana Josifovska, Emina Mahmutovic

Hamsi Behluli, Lara Krsteva IcokaevaLjupco Tosev, Vasil MinovskiVlatko Danilov, Lazar NedanoskiAfrodita Musliu, Sonja JovanovskaLirim Hajredini

Civic SocietyLucia PopovskaSuncica Sazdovska, Valentina Ciceva

Goran Budioski, Liljana Alceva JovanovskaFatmir Bitici, Kalin BabuskuNeda Maleska Sacmaroska, Aleksandar StambolievKustrim Hodza, Florent BajramiEmina Nuredinoska, Krenar Kuka

Emergency and International

Programmes

Aleksandar KrzalovskiAleksandar Stevanovski, Salih AliliGjorgji Tane, Tahir NuhiTanja Hafner, Dervisa HadzicMiodrag Kolic

InformationGonce JakovleskaAneta Trajkovska, Daniel Medaroski

Jane Stefanov, Kresnik AjdiniDarko Dimitrovski, Suzan Shakir SulejmaniGramoz Sabani, Filip StojanovskiDaniela Stojanovska, Adis Rahic

Administration and FinanceAleksandar BuzarovskiToni Gicev, Vesna BogdanovskaDanilo Mitov, Marjan Dimitrov

Mirjana Kunovska, Milka Miova BozinovskaBiljana Vucurevic

Ofces in Djakovica and DragasEranda KumnovaRajmonda PuriniIsmet IsufiArdita RizvanoliAvni Kasumaj

Kustrim KuciMevlije DafotaLeonora KuludraPetrit ZrzaYll BardhiAlbert DafotaVegim NuraAstrit Dafota

Husein IsmailiAvdi FeriziEdmond KuludraArbana ZharaBujar BunariAfrim RudiSeat Nuhiu


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3

WHAT HAD BEEN SAIDABOUT US

Maybe the best way to describe MCIC is to quote what others said aboutMCIC: evaluators, partners and associates.

EVALUATION OF KOSOVOPROGRAMMES

Evaluations of the ACT Programs in Kosovo (2000-2002)MCIC participated in three evaluations of ACT, for the Macedonia andKosovo operations from 1999 to 2001. The main findings with regard toMCIC were: innovative design of support and unique positive example for

possible cooperation of the people with various ethnic and religious originin the Balkan context.The presence of MCIC in Kosovo was a challenge in itself. As one of theevaluators of the ACT programs in Kosovo said, the evaluation team wasimpressed that Muslim Slavs (Gorans) in the remote region of Dragaswere helped by MCIC (mainly Orthodox, ethnic Macedonians in theSkopje personnel) with a local personnel made of ethnic Albanians. Withthis involvement, MCIC gave an example on a good neighborly regionalcooperation.

Kosovo Transition (TKS), Mocoro (Great Britain), 2002MCIC managed to help the three NGO-s to incorporate some of the basicelements for efficient management management structures, efficientfinancial management, reporting capacity, routines in documentationkeeping. A tailor-made approach to the capacity building needs isnecessary, for each of the supported organizations individually.



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3

LOCAL PARTNERS

During August 1999 in my office, as a President of the Assembly of the municipalityof Gjakovica, I received the representatives of MCIC. I was reserved at the beginning,as a number of organizations were promising immediate support. I suggested themsupporting house reconstruction in devastated by war villages of Shqiponja (Jablanica),Smolica, Ponosec, and others in the municipality of Gjakovica. The approach in arealization of these projects was taken very seriously by MCIC and before winterarrived, the projects were implemented with great dedication of their employees. I

kept in my memory MCIC involvement in the financial support of the Golaj diary. Asa company, it opened a perspective and brought back the hope in these villages. Inthose hard days for governing, we will always remember MCIC as respected partner.

Mazlom Kumnova, former President of the Assemblyof the municipality of Djakovica

MCIC is well-known organization in Kosovo and it will be remembered as such forever.During the most difficult times that Kosovo went through, MCIC was deeply involvedin assisting. MCIC and its members were very engaged in assisting the whole region.Their engagement varied, and they did especially concerns the so-called emergencyphase. The engagements were of a various nature, but very important.If anyone goes through the region, he will notice everywhere traces left by MCIC.The traces do not have just a symbolic or material significance. Much more is theinfluence upon the feelings and thoughts of people. Simply, when you ask even themost common person about MCIC, he will tell you a lot about MCIC. The words of thepeople will almost always be the same: Thank you, MCIC.

Working as a member of the local staff at Djakovica, I had the possibility not only towork and to meet my obligations, but also to achieve a lot more.Saso, Aleksandar, Fatmir and all the others employed at MCIC, besides the investmentsand support, which they made possible, they also invested in people. They startedtrainings us on various topics, especially in the area of civic society.As a result of this, KDC is one of the most successful NGOs in Kosovo. Everythingstarted when KDC was established with a grant from MCIC. This was followed by aquick development. KDC was supported continuously and achieved the level whereit is now.

I use this opportunity, which accidentally corresponds to the end of the year, toexpress my congratulations on the MCIC 5-year anniversary of presence in Kosovo,with wishes for a great success.MCIC is an international organization that will play a large role in the furtherdevelopment of the region and Europe. I hope that in these processes, KDC will betogether with MCIC.Once again, congratulation!

Ismet Isufi, Executive Directorof the Kosovo Development Center (KDC)


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MCIC t i th i i lit f D i ht ft th d f th i 1999


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1

MCIC was present in the municipality of Dragas right after the end of the war in 1999.Cooperation with its representatives was very open, friendly and with understanding. Itwas very pleasant to cooperate with Nikola and Gjergj. We are grateful and will alwaysremember that you helped us in the most difficult moments. I wish you a great success

and prosperous celebration of the fifth anniversary, which many would be envious to.Irfan Ibrahimi, Assembly

of the municipality of Dragas

At the moments when there were big efforts made in the Construction Material Industryat Gjakovica made to restart the factory, there were many promises from various foreignorganizations, but it was the promise of MCIC for assistance that resulted in a fast andeffective implementation of the basic needs for activating the brick stove. This meant

start of the production in a time when there was a big demand for construction materialfor reconstruction of Kosovo after the war. In the last five years we have increasedthe capacity of the production, and in this way the quality and application of modernmethods of our products. Thank you for your contribution and for the things that wehave achieved in the last period with your help.

Oliver Curi, IGM Director

Our organization has been working at the territory of the municipality of Strpce since

2000. At the time after the war in Kosovo, and since the start of our organization untiltoday, it has not happened that organizations such as MCIC appear in this area, bothin the way they work and in the assistance that we receive.The only thing that has happened after the war is the presence of MCIC. It was theonly organization that looked for us, and thanks to God, they found us and offeredus cooperation. What MCIC did in our 13 villages in the municipality of Strpce, wassomething that we could not think of or do better even ourselves. On behalf of theorganization and all citizens of our municipality we want to thank MCIC for the

assistance given. We were happy to have such a partner, which helped us via thehumanitarian work to learn a lot from that. Even nowadays the old, the young speak ofMCIC, of Alek, the man who worked with dedication and unselfishly together with usin the worst weather. May God protect MCIC and its personnel.

Miroslav Milosavlevic, Vice Presidentof the Better Life NGO from Strpce

In the period of conflict in 1999, our municipality was in a very difficult position.The assistance that came from Macedonia surprised us all; it was something that wewill never forget. Its presence in the municipality of Dragas has changed many thingsin our lives. We have not heard anything until it came, but later we found out thatthey had taken care of many refugees from Kosovo. We will not forget the distributedhumanitarian aid, the water supply system that they built in our villages and otheractivities. Thank you from our hearts.

Nuhija Tahirovci, Municipality of Zlipotok


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CIP Catalogue of publicationsNational and University Library St. Kliment of Ohrid, Skopje

341.232:061 (497.7) (497.115) 1994-2004

5 years MCIC in Kosovo : 1999-2004 / (editor in chief SaoKlekovski ; editor Gramoz Sabani). Skopje : MacedonianCenter for International Cooperation, 2005. 44 p. : color

photographs; 21 cm

ISBN 9989-102-19-81. Gl. stv. nasl. 2. Klekovski, Saoa) Macedonian Center for International Cooperation Kosovo 1999-2004

COBISS.MK-ID 63068426

PublisherMacedonian Center forInternational Cooperation

MCIC Executive Director andEditor in ChiefSao Klekovski

EditorGramoz Shabani

The following contributedto the monographGonce JakovleskaAleksandar Kralovski

Fatmir Bytyqi

Design and preparationKoma, Skopje

PrintBoro Grafika, Skopje

Copies300

AddressMacedonian Center forInternational Cooperationstr. Nikola Parapunov bb,P.O.Box. 55 1060 SkopjeRepublic of Macedonia

e-mail: [email protected]



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5 years mcic in kosovo

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